Gilgandra's water security project looks to be strong, with the recent completion of three new bores, bringing the total new bores in the region to six - with another one coming.

Water from the Great Artesian Basin, the world's largest and deepest artesian basin, drawing on sources as far away as the highlands of Papua New Guinea, has been used to complete the $1.49 million project.

Two bores now sit on Thompson Road, with the third on Arthursleigh Road.

“We did this simply to ensure we didn’t run out of water,” said Gilgandra Shire Council Mayor Doug Batten told the Western Plans App.

Gilgandra Shire Council contributed $387,000 to the project.

"We ran this project below cost and now have money that can be used elsewhere".

The Western Plains app can also reveal that three of the new four bores to improve water access for the Australian Rail Track Corporation and the local community have been completed.

These new bores sit at a range of locations between 15 and 20 kilometres out of town at Box Ridge Road, Curban Hall, Wyuna Road and Old Mill Road. The bores are primarily designed to supply water required for constructing the Narromine to Narrabri section of Inland Rail.

Clr Batton said the legacy of these bores means they will be suitable for farmers and land owners when the ARTC is complete.

"We built these bores in a way so they could not compete with existing stock or domestic bores. We see them as a long-term win for the region".

Historically, Gilgandra was a windmill town - where over 300 windmills were used to access drinkable artesian water to meet their household needs. The Shire Council built a reticulated water supply in 1966, reducing reliance on private windmills. 

Clr Batten said that while Gilgandra has had good security, the extra bores have come into effect at the right time.

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